Detachable mounting means for floodlight reflectors



Oct. 16, 1951 SALE ET AL 2,571,295

DETACHABLE MOUNTING MEANS FOR FLOOD LIGHT REFLECTORS Filed Oct. 10, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l .FZANK {SALE DONALD PRESS INVENTORS.

19 r TOQNEYS Oct. 16, 1951 F. SALE ET AL 2,571,295

DETACHABLE MOUNTING MEANS FOR FLOOD LIGHT REFLECTORS Filed Oct. 10, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 EAA/K SALE 25 DONALD P2565 INVENTORS.

gig 0.01

Oct. 16, 1-951 L ET AL 2,571,295

DETACHABLE MOUNTING MEANS FOR FLOOD LIGHT REFLECTORS Filed Oct. 10, 1949 3 Sheet's-Sheet 3 DONALD PRESS JNVENTORS.

1Q TTORNEX Patented Oct. 16, 1951 DETACHABLE MOUNTING MEANS FOR FLOODLIGHT REFLECTORS Frank Sale, Beverly Hills, and Donald Press, North Hollywood, Calif., assignors to Flood-Lite Service Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application October 10, 1949, Serial No. 120,464

Claims.

This invention relates to reflectors for outdoor flood lights; more particularly it relates to quick detachable mounting means for such reflectors.

An outdoor flood light commonly comprises an appropriately directed incandescent lamp of large size mounted at a considerable height, and a hood or shell secured to the lamp mounting, extending about the lamp and providing a reflecting surface which may be directed horizontally or downwardly at a desired inclination. Since such hood forms a semi-permanent part of the installation and is seldom renewed, the reflection is usually poor. Accordingly, it is common to provide an inner reflector having a good reflecting surface, disposed about the lamp and being arranged for easy replacement when required.

In an application filed by us on April 26, 1949, under Serial No. 89,634, and entitled Inner Reflector Mounting for Flood Lights, several types of quick detachable mounting mean for inner reflectors are shown. -The instant application is a continuation in part of said prior application.

It i an object of this invention to provide improved detachable mounting means for an inner reflector.

It is another object of this invention to provide detachable means adapted for mounting a simply formed, one piece reflector.

It is another object of this invention to provide detachable mounting means for a reflector having an axis of symmetry, such as might be formed by a spinning process commonly employed in forming sheet metal or the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide detachable mounting means for an inner reflector which does not require the provision of interengaging pins and apertures for attaching the reflector.

It is still another object of this invention to provide detachable mounting means for attaching an inner reflector to a support wherein the support engaging means is readily adjustable to alter the relative position of the reflector with respect to the support and hence with respect to the light source.

This invention possesses many other advantages and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown several forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a flood light with an inner reflector mounted by a device incorporating features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, partly in elevation and on an enlarged scale, showing the reflector and mounting device of Figure 1 installed;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the reflector and mounting device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mounting device of Figure 1;

v Figure 5 is a cross section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially as indicated by line 55 of Figure 4; v

Figure 6 is a View mainly in elevation, on an enlarged scale, seen substantially as indicated by the arrow marked 6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a. perspective view showing a fragment of a modified form of mounting device;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal section showing another type of flood light with an inner reflector mounted by a further modified form of mounting device;

Figure 9 is a transverse section, taken substantially as indicated by line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the mountin device of Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section partly in elevation showing still another form of mounting device.

Referring to the drawings, a generally conventional flood light is shown in Figure l, and comprises a large candle power incandescent lamp5 mounted in a socket C secured within a down wardly opening, cylindrical cavity 8 formed in a head 9 at the outer end of an .arm It, the arm I0 being supported for vertical angular adjustment by a bracket II on a pole or mast l2. The reflecting hood or shell [4, attached to the lower end of the head 9, extends about the rear of the lamp 5, and forwardly therefrom to provide an inclined downwardly directed opening I 5. A concave reflector 20 providing a good reflecting surface is interposed between the hood IQ and the lamp 5, being detachably supported by the aid of the mounting means 2|. The arrangement is such as to permit the reflector 20 to be readily removed and replaced when required, as when the reflecting surface is impaired.

The mounting means 2| comprises a resilient frame or band 22, shown as of ring-like form,

adapted to form a seat for the reflector and to be secured in contact with the exterior thereof by means of a pair of resilient arms 23 and 24 and an arm 25, projecting forwardly from opposite portions of the frame 22, in the direction of the axis of the frame and having hook means on their outer ends engageable with the edge of the reflector 20. The size of the frame 22 and the lengths and relative positions of the arms 23, 24 and forming hooks are so proportioned with respect to the size of the reflector 20 that when the frame 22 is mounted on the reflector 20, said arms will extend divergently from the frame while the frame contacts opposite portions of the exterior of the reflector and is tensioned thereover, thus being securely held in place thereon.

In assembling the reflector 20 and the mounting means 2|, the reflector 20 is inserted in the ring-like band or seat 22, and hooks 23 and 24 engaged with the edge of the reflector 20. The band 22 is then tightened over the back of the reflector 20 and the hook 25 sprung outwardly to pass over the edge of the reflector, being thereafter released to engage said edge. In removing the reflector 20, the hook 25 is sprung downwardly to release the reflector edge, the reflector being then readily disengaged from the hooks 23 and 24 and removed from the band 22. To facilitate manipulation of the hook 25, a finger grip or extension 25-a is provided thereon.

For supporting the frame 22, a resilient circular extension or cage 26 is provided thereon, being adapted to frictionally engage the surface of the cavity 8. The extension 26 comprises a discontinuous, circular member 21 secured to the frame 22, as by a pair of arms 29 and 30 extending transversely of the frame 22, conveniently formed by rearward extensions of the hook members 23 and 24. A plurality of angularly spaced axially extending fingers 3| are secured to the member 21. A second discontinuous, circular member 32 may be provided if desired, being attached to the fingers 3| in axially spaced relation with the member 21.

To facilitate adjustment of the reflector 26 with respect to the lamp 5, the transverse arms 29 and 30 are joined to the member 21 by the aid of extensions 29-a and 30-11 respectively connected to arms 29 and 30 by oflset portions 29-h and 30-h. These offsets 29-b and 39-17 together with the adjacent portions of the arms 29 and 30 and of the extensions 29-11 and 30-11 may be readily bent to alter the relative positions of the frame 22 and the extension 26.

The frame 22 and the hook members 23, 24 and 25 are sufficiently resilient to be sprung from their normal holding positions to permit insertion or removal of the reflector 2D. The extension 26 may be inserted in the cavity 8 at any time, either before or after insertion of the reflector 20. Optionally, the reflector 20 may be removed and replaced while the frame 22 is mounted in the cavity.

A modified form of mounting extension or cage is shown in Figure '1. This extension or cage 35 is quite similar to the one just discussed, but is capable of a wide range of adjustment in accordance with the size of the cooperating support. For this purpose, the circular member 31 has its ends normally separated by a substantial distance, the end portions being bent to provide finger grips 31-11 and 31-1). The material of the cage is such that the size of the band 31 may be readily increased or decreased by appropriate force exerted on the finger grips 31-11 and 31-12,

4 the resilience of the material causing the fingers 38 to frictionally grip the surface of a cavity, as before.

A modified form of mounting means is shown in Figures 8 to 10. As best shown in Figure 10, this mounting means 40, comprises a resilient cage or extension 4| formed of a pair of coaxial spaced rings 42 and 43 joined by a plurality of axially extending fingers 44. The rings 42 and 43 have cut-out portions 42-11 and 43-41 for imparting resilience to the rings. A plurality of resilient arms 45, 46 and 41 are joined to the ring 43 in angularly spaced relation, being suitably braced by V-shaped clips 48. The arms 45, 46 and 41 extend in parallelism for a short distance from the ring 43 and then diverge and are curved in accordance with the shape of the inner reflector 49, to form a resilient seat therefor. These arms 45, 46 and 41 terminate in hooks 45-a, 46-a and 41-a which are engageable with the edge of the reflector 49 and serve to urge it against the said seat. A stiffening and spacing ring 58 is provided to which the arms 45, 45 and 41 are joined intermediate their ends.

The arrangement is such that the arms 45, 46 and 41 are slightly deformed by the reflector 49 when engaged by said hooks, so as to resiliently grip the reflector and maintain it in assembled relation with the mounting means 40. One of the arms, as 41, has an extension or finger grip 41-b on the hook 41-a, to facilitate mounting and removal of the reflector. Thus, when mounting the reflector, it is seated in the arms 45 and 45 and the arm 41 is sprung outwardly by the aid of the finger grip 41-b to allow the hook 41-a to engage the edge of the reflector 49. When it is desired to remove the reflector, thearm 41 is sprung outwardly by the aid of the finger grip 41-b, so that the hook 41-a releases the reflector 49, which may then be lifted from the other hooks 45 and 45.

In Figure 8, the permanent hood or reflector is shown as comprising a shell 55 of circular cross section suitably supported by means (not shown) and tapering rearwardly from its mouth 55-a to a smaller opening or throat 55-h. This opening 55-12 is closed by a rearward extension 01' cap 56 in which is mounted a lamp socket 58. An extension or adapter 59 is mounted in the socket 58 and in turn mounts the incandescent lamp G0.

The throat or opening 55-b is slightly smaller than the extension 4| so as to frictionally retain the extension and thus support the mounting means 40, with or without the reflector 49. The exterior of the adapter 59 is only slightly less than the minimum inside diameter of the cage 4|, whereby the mounting means 40 and the reflector 49 are maintained in approximate axial alignment with the shell 55 and the lamp 60.

In that form of the invention shown in Figure 11, the mounting means 62 is quite similar to that just discussed, comprising a plurality of resilient arms 63 and a resilient mounting cage 64, the arms 63 being angularly spaced about the axis of the reflector 65 and having hooks 63-a engageable with the reflectors edge. However, in this form the arms 63 are unsupported except at their points of attachment to the cage 64, the intermediate ring 50 of the previously described form being omitted. The mounting means 62 together with the reflector 65, are shown as supported by the frictional engagement of the cage 64 with the surface of a cylindrical cavity 65 accommodating the lamp socket 61 in the adjustable support arm 68.

We claim:

1. In a mounting for a flood light reflector: means forming a resilient ring adapted to extend about said reflector; hook means secured on said ring, adapted to engage the edge of said reflector for detachably securing the ring to the reflector; means forming a substantially circular, resilient member for frictionally engaging the wall of a cylindrical cavity in a support to support the ring; and means mounting said member on said ring, comprising a pair of arms extending transversely of said ring and secured thereto, said arms having offset portions secured to said member, and adjustable to alter the position of said member with respect to said ring.

2. In a reflector mounting; a support-engaging member comprising a resilient ring and a plurality of elements extending axially thereof and secured thereto in angularly spaced relation; a plurality of arms fixed to said member and extending therefrom in a direction generally axially of said ring, reflector engaging members on the outer ends of said arms, and a ring forming a seat for the reflector, fixed to and disposed between said arms at a point inwardly of said reflector-engaging members.

3. A mounting for a flood light reflector comprising, a ring for contacting the back of a reflector as a seat therefor, arms supported by said ring and extending forwardly thereirom in the direction of the axis thereof, mean on the outer ends of said arms for engaging the reflector and holding it seated in said ring, an arm supported by and extending rearwardly from said ring, and means on said rearwardly extending arm for engaging a supporting structure to support the ring.

4. A mounting for a flood light reflector comprising, a member for substantially encircling the back of a reflector a a supporting seat therefor, arms fixed to and supported in entirety by said member and extending forwardly and divergently therefrom, means on said arms for engaging the reflector, an arm fixed to the member and extending rearwardly therefrom, and means attached to said rearwardly extending arm for engaging a supporting structure to support said member.

5. A mounting for a flood light reflector comprising, a member for substantially encircling the back of a reflector as a supporting seat therefor, arms supported solely by means of said member and extending forwardly and divergently therefrom, means on the outer ends of said arms for embracing said reflector, at least one of said forwardly extending arms having a greater forward extent from said member, an arm fixed to said member and extending rearwardly therefrom, and means attached to the outer end of said rearwardly extending arm for engaging a supporting structure to support said member.

6. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, a ring adapted to contact the back of a reflector at a point spaced inwardly from the edge of the reflector, resilient arms fixed to said ring at angularly spaced points and extending forwardly therefrom, means on the outer ends of said arms for engaging said reflector and holding it seated in said ring, an attaching member for detachably mounting said ring on a support, and means carried by said ring for connecting said attaching member with said ring and supporting said attaching member rearwardly of said ring and forwardly of the rear end of the reflector seated in said ring,

7. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, a ring for embracing the back of a reflector as a seat therefor, an arm supported in entirety by means of said ring and extending forwardly therefrom, a hook on the outer end of said arm for engaging the edge of the reflector, another arm supported in entiret by means of said ring and extending forwardly therefrom a lesser extent than said first mentioned arm, a hook on said last mentioned arm for engaging the edge of said reflector, attaching means for detachably securing said ring to a support, and means supported in entirety by means of and extending rearwardly of said ring for supporting said attaching means.

8. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, a pair of arms, a reflector-supporting ring welded to said arms at a point between the ends of said arms and adapted to seat against the back of said reflector, means on one end of each arm for contacting the reflector and holding it in said ring, other means carried by said ring for releasable connection with said reflector, and an attaching means mounted on the other ends of the arms of said pair for detachably mounting said ring on a support.

9. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, a ring for embracing the back of a reflector as a seat therefor, arms fixed to and supported solely by said ring and extending forwardly and divergently therefrom, means on the outer ends of said arms for engaging the marginal portion of said reflector to hold the reflector against said ring, other arms fixed to said ring and extending rearwardly and convergently therefrom, and an attaching structure supported by said other arms for detachably engaging the wall of a cavity in a support for the ring.

10. In a mounting for a flood light reflector, a ring forming a seat for the back of a reflector, a pair of bendable and resilient arms rigidly fixed intermediate their ends to said ring and extending forwardly and rearwardly therefrom, another arm fixed on said ring and extending forwardly therefrom, means on the forward ends of said arms for engaging the reflector to hold the reflector in said ring, and an attaching means supported on the rear ends of said pair of arm s for detach-ably engaging a support at a poirit forwardly of the rear end of a reflector seated in the ring.

FRANK SALE. DONALD PRESS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 274,170 Cannon Mar. 20, 1883 339,708 Stearns Apr. 13, 1886 351,717 Stearns Oct. 26, 1886 852,121 Kelley Apr. 30, 1907 971,490 Chandler Sept. 27, 1910 1 997,460 Matthews July 11, 1911 1,138,449 Brown May 4, 1915 1,353,562 Cahill Sept. 21, 1920 1,353,563 Cahill Sept. 21, 1920 1,403,378 Bason Jan. 10, 1922 1,506,542 Maynard Aug. 26, 1924 1,762,781 Jenkins June 10, 1930 2,286,934: Sale June 16, 1942 

